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Franchisees Eric St. Pierre and Jeff Walker celebrate 24 years of franchising success

This year’s TWO MEN AND A TRUCK®Annual Meeting is being held in scenic Colorado Springs, where it’s sunny 300 days a year, and franchisees Eric St. Pierre and Jeff Walker work to move people forward every day.

The story of the duo’s Colorado Springs location is steeped in history. They are former residents of Lansing, MI — the birthplace of TWO MEN AND A TRUCK®— and were friends long before they began their business partnership. One fateful summer, St. Pierre took a job as TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® founder Mary Ellen Sheets’ mover.

“When I was in college I was in need of a summer job,” said St. Pierre. “Mary Ellen hired me. I started as a mover, but got my chauffeurs license to become a driver. After I graduated college, I worked for three years, but kept an eye on TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® because I always enjoyed working for the company. When Mary Ellen began franchising the business, I started thinking about buying a franchise. I told my friend and now business partner, Jeff Walker, about the company and we bought a franchise.”

From there, the Michigan boys packed up and headed west to Colorado Springs.

“We bought into the franchise January 1993,” said Walker. “I’ve been a co-owner for 24 years.”

Over 24 years, a lot has changed in the moving industry. Our company has expanded onto an international stage, practices have been refined, and technology continues to evolve. Nonetheless, our commitment to providing exceptional customer service remains constant — as does our iconic stickman logo.

“My favorite thing about TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® is the name and logo,” St. Pierre said. “It’s so simple, but so memorable. People still comment to me about it and it never gets old. I’m proud of how this company has grown into such a respected, successful brand!”

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® has grown collectively as a brand, but that couldn’t happen without also advancing individuals within the franchising system. St. Pierre and Walker are perfect examples of this.

“I have been involved in all aspects from a mover and driver all the way up to franchisee. I have done everything in between, including serving on the franchisee advisory board within the TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® system,” St. Pierre said.

Walker echoed this sentiment, having worn many hats over the years.

In terms of year-to-date total revenue, their location was one of the top performers last year. Between 2015 and 2016, their sales increased by 11.78%. They have a few different ideas about how they managed this feat.

“We’ve spent many hours with Home Office implementing and improving our sales process,” said Walker. “We have a great sales staff and our sales manager has really taken ownership of the role. It also does not hurt that we’ve been around 24 years and built a great name for ourselves!”

“We live in a very mobile town that has seen a lot of population growth,” said St. Pierre. “The most important thing, though, is that we have a reward system for our employees that incentivizes them for taking great care of our customers.”

For both franchisees, one thing is absolutely certain: the most difficult part of the job is recruiting the right employees to deliver the first-rate move services that TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® customers have come to expect.

“The hardest part of my job is finding enough employees and finding really good ones,” St. Pierre said. “We have been lucky finding good ones, but it takes time.”

The recruitment process is followed by intensive training to ensure the movers and drivers are adequately prepared to handle customers’ belongings with the care they deserve. Although this practice can be time-consuming, it ultimately yields highly qualified movers who are ready to tackle any situation the move may throw their way.

“Moving is challenging work to do day in and day out,” said Walker. “Finding the right personnel poses a big challenge.”

Despite its challenges, business ownership has its rewards. The best part?

“Just being an owner and building a business,” said Walker. “It has been awesome to help it grow to the size that it is over the 24 years. Love the staff that did their part to make us what we are today.”

“I like having a flexible schedule,” said St. Pierre. “My favorite part is being in control of my career and success.”

In a world in flux, it’s nice to have reliable constants to fall back on. For TWO MEN AND A TRUCK®, that means embracing progress without forgetting our original values of integrity, care, and inclusion.

“The TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® system has come together from all over the world to help develop something to be proud of,” Walker said. “We have seen many changes in our 24 years, but TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® still feels like family. You can see the great values that Mary Ellen has instilled and it’s great that we have not outgrown them.”

We’re proud to have Eric St. Pierre and Jeff Walker as members of our TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® family.

Interested in a franchising opportunity with TWO MEN AND A TRUCK®? Visit our franchise page to learn more about available opportunities!

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® is the first and largest franchised moving company in the United States. Let us help move you forward! For more helpful tips and information on moving services subscribe to our blog and like us on Facebook